Vacuum assisted animal feces collector

ABSTRACT

A vacuum assisted animal feces collector is a hand-held vacuum device for automatically vacuuming animal waste into an attached waste bag to be discarded. A bag release button uncouples the bag from the device. The device also has indicator lights for presence of power and disconnected waste bag. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector eliminates handling or contact with the waste.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from priorprovisional application Ser. No. 62/372,622, filed Aug. 9, 2016 whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, or that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of animal fecescollection devices and more specifically relates to a vacuum assistedanimal feces collector.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Dog droppings are one of the leading sources of E. coli (fecalcoliforms) bacterial pollution, Toxocara canis and Neospora caninumhelminth parasite pollution. One gram of dog feces contains over20,000,000 E. coli cells. While an individual animal's deposit of feceswill not measurably affect the environment, the cumulative effect ofthousands of dogs and cats in a metropolitan area can create seriousproblems due to contamination of soil and water supplies. The runofffrom neglected pet waste contaminates water, creating health hazards forpeople, fish, ducks, etc.

Picking up dog feces is quite unpleasant. A dog owner can use a poopscoop device to pick up the dog feces and put in a bag, but even so, theowner has to tie the bag and in doing so comes in close contact with thedog feces. Dog owners come in even closer contact when they use a bagput over the hand to pick up the feces and then turn it inside out totie the bag and carry it to a proper disposal area. The plastic bagsoften have small perforations that allow E. coli to pass through andcontact the hand. A solution is needed.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problemssuch as those found in U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0114433 to Oluyinka C.Rivadeneira; U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,230 to Mary Ellen Phillips; and U.S.Pub. No. 2012/0186037 to Tory Reynolds et al. This prior art isrepresentative of animal feces collection devices. None of the aboveinventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seento describe the invention as claimed.

Ideally, a animal feces collection device should provide clean andeffortless pickup, and yet, would operate reliably and be manufacturedat a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable vacuum assistedanimal feces collector to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known animalfeces collection devices art, the present invention provides a novelvacuum assisted animal feces collector. The general purpose of thepresent invention, which will be described subsequently in greaterdetail, is to provide a vacuum assisted animal feces collector.

A vacuum assisted animal feces collector preferably comprises a mainbody including an elongated tube portion having a proximal end with anopening therethrough, a middle section having a bag member removalaperture therethrough, and a bag member removal hatch pivotally attachedthereto that is adapted to removably cover the bag removal aperture. Theelongated tube portion has a distal end with a handle portion connectedthereto and a bag member formed from a flexible material that is adaptedto be inserted into and releasably connected to the elongated tubeportion for use in capturing animal feces therein.

The bag member is formed from plastic and adapted to be disconnectedfrom the elongated tube portion and removed through the bag memberremoval aperture after use. A vacuum motor is located within the middlesection of the main body and is adapted to suck air and animal fecesinto the elongated tube portion and the bag liner. A power source may belocated within the middle section of the main body that is electricallyconnected to and provides electric power to the vacuum motor and acontrol switch is connected to the handle portion that is electricallyconnected between the power source and the vacuum motor and is adaptedto turn on and off the vacuum motor. The power source may also belocated within the handle portion and is formed as a battery member thatis removable and rechargeable.

The bag member includes an edge portion around the opening thereofadapted to remain outside of the opening of the proximal end of the mainbody and make contact with the outer surface of the main body. A lightmember is also connected to the outer surface of the tube portion thatis electrically connected to the power source and is adapted to shinelight in front and around the proximal end of the elongated tube portionof the main body. A bag member removal hatch release button is connectedto the handle portion and is mechanically connected to the bag memberremoval hatch and adapted to release the bag member removal hatch toallow it to pivot to an open position to remove the bag member. A bagmember removal hatch light member is connected to the outer surface ofthe tube portion, is electrically connected to the power source, and isadapted to light when the bag member removal hatch is pivoted to theopen position. A power source light member is also connected to theouter surface of the tube portion which is electrically connected to thepower source and is adapted to light when the power source is providingpower to the vacuum motor.

A vacuum trigger member is connected to the handle portion that ismechanically connected to the vacuum member and adapted to activate thevacuum member when depressed. At least one tube extension member isadapted to be releasably connected to the proximal end of the elongatedtube portion and adapted to extend the overall length of the vacuumassisted animal feces collector. The main body further includes a ventmember in proximity to the motor member that is adapted to allow air toexit from the elongated tube portion. The main body is preferably formedfrom a plastic material.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as avacuum assisted animal feces collector. For purposes of summarizing theinvention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of theinvention have been described herein. It is to be understood that notnecessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with anyone particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. Thefeatures of the invention which are believed to be novel areparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concludingportion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, andadvantages of the present invention will become better understood withreference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention,vacuum assisted animal feces collector constructed and operativeaccording to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a vacuum assisted animalfeces collector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum assisted animalfeces collector according to an embodiment of the present invention ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum assisted animalfeces collector according to an embodiment of the present invention ofFIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to ananimal feces collection device and more particularly to a vacuumassisted animal feces collector as used to improve the clean andeffortless pickup.

Generally speaking, a vacuum assisted animal feces collector is a handheld vacuum device for automatically vacuuming animal waste into anattached waste bag to be discarded. A bag release button uncouples thebag from the device. The device also has indicator lights for presenceof power and disconnected waste bag. The vacuum assisted animal fecescollector eliminates handling or contact with the waste.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown inFIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating vacuum assisted animal fecescollector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Vacuum assisted animal feces collector 100 preferably comprises mainbody 105 including elongated tube portion 110 having proximal end 111with opening 112 therethrough, middle section 115 having bag memberremoval aperture 120 therethrough, and bag member removal hatch 125pivotally attached thereto that is adapted to removably cover bag memberremoval aperture 120. Elongated tube portion 110 has distal end 113 withhandle portion 130 connected thereto and bag member 135 formed from aflexible material that is adapted to be inserted into and releasablyconnected to elongated tube portion 110 for use in capturing animalfeces therein.

Bag member 135 is formed from plastic and adapted to be disconnectedfrom elongated tube portion 110 and removed through bag member removalaperture 120 after use. Vacuum motor 140 is located within middlesection 115 of main body 105 and is adapted to suck air and animal fecesinto elongated tube portion 110 and bag member 135.

Referring now to FIG. 2, is a perspective view illustrating vacuumassisted animal feces collector 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention of FIG. 1.

Power source 145 may be located within middle section 115 of main body105 that is electrically connected to and provides electric power tovacuum motor 140 and control switch 150 is connected to handle portion130 that is electrically connected between power source 145 and vacuummotor 140 and is adapted to turn on and off vacuum motor 140. Powersource 145 may also be located within handle portion 130 and is formedas battery member 146 that is removable and rechargeable.

Bag member 135 includes edge portion 136 around opening 112 thereofadapted to remain outside of opening 112 of proximal end 111 of mainbody 105 and make contact with outer surface 114 of main body 105. Lightmember 155 is also connected to outer surface 114 of elongated tubeportion 110 that is electrically connected to power source 145 and isadapted to shine light in front and around proximal end 111 of elongatedtube portion 110 of main body 105. Bag member removal hatch releasebutton 160 is connected to t handle portion 130 and is mechanicallyconnected to bag member removal hatch 125 and adapted to release bagmember removal hatch 125 to allow it to pivot to an open position toremove bag member 135.

Referring now to FIG. 3, is a perspective view illustrating vacuumassisted animal feces collector 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention of FIG. 1.

Bag member removal hatch 125 light member 155 is connected to outersurface 114 of elongated tube portion 110, is electrically connected topower source 145, and is adapted to light when bag member removal hatch125 is pivoted to the open position. Power source 145 light member 155is also connected to outer surface 114 of elongated tube portion 110which is electrically connected to power source 145 and is adapted tolight when power source 145 is providing power to vacuum motor 140.

Vacuum trigger member 141 is connected to handle portion 130 that ismechanically connected to vacuum assisted animal feces collector 100 andadapted to activate vacuum assisted animal feces collector 100 whendepressed. At least one tube extension member 165 is adapted to bereleasably connected to proximal end 111 of elongated tube portion 110and adapted to extend the overall length of vacuum assisted animal fecescollector 100. Main body 105 further includes vent member 142 inproximity to vacuum motor 140 that is adapted to allow air to exit fromelongated tube portion 110. Main body 105 is preferably formed from aplastic material.

Vacuum assisted animal feces collector 100 may be manufactured andprovided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wideassortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it shouldbe appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering suchissues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences,cost, structural requirements, available materials, technologicaladvances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example,including more or less components, customized parts, different colorcombinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of usearrangements such as, for example, different orders withinabove-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps,including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may besufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. A vacuum assisted animal fecescollector comprising: a main body including: an elongated tube portionincluding: a proximal end; wherein said proximal end has an openingtherethrough; a middle section including: a bag member removal aperturetherethrough; and a bag member removal hatch pivotally attached theretoand adapted to removably cover said bag removal aperture; and a distalend; and a handle portion; wherein said handle portion is connected tosaid distal end of said elongated tube portion; and a bag member;wherein said bag member is formed from a flexible material and isadapted to be inserted into and releasably connected to said elongatedtube portion for use in capturing animal feces therein; and wherein saidbag member is adapted to be disconnected from said elongated tubeportion and removed through said bag member removal aperture after use;a vacuum motor; wherein said vacuum motor is located within said middlesection of said main body and is adapted to suck air and animal fecesinto said elongated tube portion and said bag liner; a power source;wherein said power source is located within said middle section of saidmain body and is electrically connected to and provides electric powerto said vacuum motor; and a control switch; wherein said control switchis connected to said handle portion is electrically connected betweensaid power source and said vacuum motor and is adapted to turn on andoff said vacuum motor.
 2. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector ofclaim 1, wherein said bag member includes an edge portion around anopening thereof adapted to remain outside of said opening of saidproximal end of said main body and contact an outer surface of said mainbody.
 3. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector of claim 1, whereinsaid bag member is formed from a plastic material.
 4. The vacuumassisted animal feces collector of claim 1, further comprising a lightmember connected to an outer surface of said tube portion, iselectrically connected to said power source, and is adapted to shinelight in front and around said proximal end of said elongated tubeportion of said main body.
 5. The vacuum assisted animal feces collectorof claim 1, further comprising a bag member removal hatch release buttonconnected to said handle portion and is mechanically connected to saidbag member removal hatch and adapted to release said bag member removalhatch and allow it to pivot to an open position to remove said bagmember.
 6. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector of claim 5,further comprising a bag member removal hatch light member connected toan outer surface of said tube portion, is electrically connected to saidpower source, and is adapted to light when said bag member removal hatchis pivoted to said open position.
 7. The vacuum assisted animal fecescollector of claim 1, further comprising a power source light memberconnected to an outer surface of said tube portion, is electricallyconnected to said power source, and is adapted to light when said powersource is providing power to said vacuum motor.
 8. The vacuum assistedanimal feces collector of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum triggermember connected to said handle portion and is mechanically connected tosaid vacuum member and adapted to activate said vacuum member whendepressed.
 9. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector of claim 1,further comprising at least one tube extension member adapted to bereleasably connected to said proximal end of said elongated tube portionand adapted to extend the overall length of said vacuum assisted animalfeces collector.
 10. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector of claim1, wherein said main body further includes a vent member in proximity tosaid motor member and is adapted to allow air to exit from saidelongated tube portion.
 11. The vacuum assisted animal feces collectorof claim 1, wherein said main body is formed from a plastic material.12. The vacuum assisted animal feces collector of claim 1, wherein saidpower source is located within said handle portion.
 13. The vacuumassisted animal feces collector of claim 1, wherein said power source isformed a battery member.
 14. The vacuum assisted animal feces collectorof claim 1, wherein said battery member is removable and rechargeable.